1. WHAT IS 20% CARBON DIOXIDE/OXYGEN MEDICAL GAS MIXTURE AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR

20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture is a medicinal gas mixture, supplied in cylinders filled to a high pressure.

The most common use of 20% Carbon Dioxide/ Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture is during medical tests and investigations.

2. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USE

20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture is only given to you in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Ensure that your healthcare professional is aware of any medical conditions that you may have.

Take special care when using this medicinal gas mixture if:

• you have a chronic lung disease such as bronchitis.

• you are taking other drugs that affect your breathing.

• it is taken with anaesthetic agents, as using these together can affect the normal rhythms of the heart

• you have accidentally taken Paraquat (a type of weed killer), advise your healthcare professional before using this medicinal gas mixture, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs

Taking other medicines

20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture should not be used with adrenaline or similar drugs.

20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas mixture can affect other medicines in the body, including those taken for treating high blood pressure and muscle relaxants.

If you have been taking or prescribed Bleomycin (to treat cancer), Amiodarone (to treat an irregular heartbeat) or Nitrofurantoin and similar antibiotics (to treat infection), advise your healthcare professional before using this medicinal gas mixture, as there is a possibility of toxic effects to the lungs.

Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture will not affect you or your baby if used during pregnancy or whilst breast feeding.

Driving and using machines

You may drive and use machines after using 20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture providing that your healthcare professional considers that you are both fit and capable.

3. HOW TO USE 20% CARBON DIOXIDE/ OXYGEN MEDICAL GAS MIXTURE

Instructions for use

Your healthcare professional will ensure that your 20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture supply is suitable for your use and that the equipment has been set up correctly so that you receive the right amount of gas.

When you are given your 20% Carbon Dioxide/ Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture it will be supplied via a facemask.

If you have any further questions on how this product is used, ask your healthcare professional.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines 20% Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Medical Gas Mixture may cause side effects, although not everybody will get them.

The side effects which may occur are:

• sweating

• feeling sick

• headache

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any of these side effects, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, contact your healthcare professional immediately. You can also report side effects directly to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme www. mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard and to BOC Healthcare. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.